Gear
Gear
Reviews of the best skis, boots, bindings, apparel, and accessories of the year.
Reviews of the best skis, boots, bindings, apparel, and accessories of the year.
Ibex Shak Liner Glove
Wrap your mitts in wool
The U.S. Team's Sweet New Suit
Spyder's new Slippery speed suit promises to shave seconds. Will the FIS ban it from competition?
Volkl, Marker Rock Custom Gibsons
Partnership with Nashville guitar maker helps two worthy charities.
Backcountry.com Launches New Apparel Brand
An army of opinionated web surfers help develop a new clothing line.
Stuff We Like: Level's Freeride ski pole
Strong Silent Type
What Now: Hardheaded?
Last season’s death of actress Natasha Richardson revived the debate about making helmets mandatory on the slopes. Should there even be a debate?
Gear For The Air
We said that you can't get hurt in the air, but here is some gear that will help you stay injury free when you land.
Arc'teryx Kappa SV jacket, W
Check out Victoria Barbatelli's author page.
Arc'teryx Firebee AR jacket, W
A women's Windstopper
Outdoor Research Chaos jacket
Found: warmth and dependability in Chaos
Arc'teryx Kappa SV jacket
A jacket that can keep up with you AND the weather
Arc'teryx Kappa AR jacket
Stay cool, not chilly
Smith Hustle
An unprecedented number of vents
Q & A with Bolle Athletes
Our intern, Victoria Barbatelli, sits down with Bolle sponsored athletes Matt Philippi and Jen Hudak. For everything from competition stories to skiing tips (it's all in your feet), these guys have plenty to say about the sport we all love.
Smith Intrigue
A feminine edge
Smith Maze
Go from helmet to beanie in just three snaps
POC Receptor BUG Communication
Check out Victoria Barbatelli's author page.
POC Skull Light
Ski lightheaded
K2 Clutch Pro
K2's new Clutch is anything but wimpy
K2 Crossfire Pro
Be a hot skier, not a hot head
Bern Carbon Watts Helmet
Bern's low-profile helmets keep chair-lifters focused on your skiing, not what's on your head
Bern Berkeley Helmet
Ladies: streamline your look with Bern's new gender-specific helmets
Gore X-TRAFIT Glove Technology
New glove technology from Gore ensures that when your hand comes out, the liner stays in.
Five-Question Interview: Fortitude Skis
Want to start your own ski company? Find out how in this video interview with Fortitude Skis' Nick Whittemore.
The Wisdom of Saucer Boy
From the vaults: “Brain Floss”—Shane McConkey’s original ponderings on powder-ski design
Plake, Dalbello take Cabrio Shell Design to the Backcountry
Virus AT/Touring boot, $800–$950
Ligety Starts Fast—and Stylishly—at Solden
Shred Omnibot goggle ($169 msrp)
Nordica Launches New Boot for Jibbers
Ace of Spades boot (MSRP: $749)
Want Avy Reports on the Lift? There’s an App for That.
You probably own an iPhone. And we’re fine with that, really. Next time we’re on the lift together, we can pull up YouTube and watch a cat with its head stuck in a Pringles can. Or we could use these ski-specific apps. Including a brand new one from The North Face.
Comfort Mapping: For when you're hot and when you're not
New Gore technology equalizes body temperature
Sorel Boots Up
The company's new e-commerce site lets you shop for boots - in your house shoes
A New Speed Suit, Tested in a Wind Tunnel
Sorry for more ski racing news, but it's an Olympic year and we can't help ourselves. Spyder has announced a new, more aerodynamic speed suit, which will be worn by the U.S. and Canadian ski teams at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. If nothing else, read this to check out the nifty wind tunnel video.
Better Skiing Through Trail Running
Why trail running works for skiers, and the perfect shoe for beginners and experts alike.
Geardirect.com is your online outdoor specialty shop
Geardirect.com is your online outdoor specialty shop
Beard Head
Face freezing? Grow a beard (or just buy one)
How to Start an Outerwear Company in Four Months
Pro skier David Lesh was sick of jackets and pants that didn’t fit right. When his clothing sponsors wouldn’t listen to feedback, he went on his own and launched an outerwear company, First Drop.
Core Concepts Cadence Hoodie
Real slope style
Core Concepts Old Faithful Zip Neck
Rad plaid
Techno Silks Crock Neck Top
Smooth as silk
Spyder Winterskyn X-Static Capri Pant
A baselayer with serious stretch
Bak to the Future
CamelBak ShredPak
Child's Play
MFS’s Xtreme Sports children’s sunglasses
Confession: I Have a Buff, And I Like It
Second cousin to balaclavas and neck gaiters, the Buff has dork in its DNA.
Gear For The Trees
This gear won't turn you into a nasty tree skier overnight. But it'll help.
Contest Crazy
Is it just us, or has the ski world gone contest crazy? Including us. Here are six cool contests where you can win free gear, lift tickets, season passes, and more.
The Citizens' Ski Test
Pros, Schmoes: Here’s What the Average Joe Thinks of This Year’s Gear
Mind Your Spine
Crashes happen. But with body armor, injuries don’t have to
Instant Ski Rack—for $20
Raxstars car-top ski carrier works with factory racks; gives you options in a pinch
A New Generation of Helmet
Smith's Variant uses hybrid construction to blend aesthetics and protection
The Yellow Line
Guess the location of Grant Gunderson's photos and win a pair of Wagner Custom skis.
Craig's List for Skiers
Two new websites aim to help skiers sell and buy used gear. Now you don't have to worry about those creepy personal ads.
Stolen: One Jacket, Nice and Newish
To the thief with the impeccable taste...
Mountainsmith Utili-Tote
Keep all your essentials in one place.
Win a Pair of Motorola Radios
Been lost? Share your best story about getting that way while skiing and you could win a pair of Motorola radios and, maybe, save yourself from future embarrassment.
K2's Adjustable Pole
Sturdy new Lock Jaw combines pole and probe functions
Salomon's Custom Fit Technology
"CS" shells, now available in more models, are a quick fix for problem feet
Marker Schizo
One binding that suits both new-school and traditional applications
BERGS Ski Shop
Huge Selection, Low Prices, and Great Service
Buckle EZ (Sponsored Content)
One tool that does it all: binding adjustment, buckle tool, carries your ski boots, and even opens a beer bottle.
Where Is It? October 2009
Name the resort pictured and win Axio Max & Mini Watches!
BERGS Ski Shop (Sponsored Content)
Huge Selection, Low Prices, and Great Service
Yes, You Want Free Skis
How dropping Skiing a letter can get you free stuff and save our sport.
Stuff We Like: Garmin Oregon 550t GPS unit
You Can Get There From Here
Finally, the NTN rips
When it first debuted, Rottefella's New Telemark Norm boot and binding system wasn't quite perfect. Now, it's getting pretty darn close.
What Now: iSkier
The small screen is revolutionizing the way skiers chase snow, ride lifts and even share their adventures. But is this something to tweet about?
Z Blok Sunblock
Non-sissy sunscreen. Because cancer sucks.
Find the Right Skis
Consider where you ski most, factor in your ability, and pick the category that suits you best. Use the category descriptions below to examine the ski-width ranges and averages within each category of skis we review.
A Real Pillow Line
Finally, an air bag for jibbers.
Icelantic Skis
Art gallery, crime scene, and ski store—all in one.
Icelantic Skis
An art gallery, crime scene, and ski store—all in one.
Put 'em up
BordzUp PipeLine system
10 Steps to Buying a New Pair of Skis
Have you ever walked into a ski shop in search of a new pair of skis and been completely overwhelmed by the options? We have too. Fortunately, we’ve created the perfect cheat sheet to buying a new pair of boards. Follow these 10 easy steps.
The Ski You Need
There's a ski out there that's perfect for you. Here's how to find it.